Abstract: The present invention advantageously proposes an electrical coolant pump (1), in particular for the coolant circuit of internal combustion engines for automotive vehicles, comprising a coolant pump motor for driving an impeller (6) through the intermediary of a pump shaft (10), and a valve (36) that is integrated into the pump inlet, wherein for the first time the coolant pump motor constitutes the switching element for the valve (36). Moreover the present invention for the first time specifies a method for controlling the valve (36), wherein the work necessary for switching is afforded by the coolant pump motor and is transmitted to the valve (36), in particular a 3/2-port directional control valve, via the shaft (10) of the pump motor.